The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports there were 160 fatalities from motorcycle crashes in North Carolina in the most recent year of statistics. In addition, there were 3,666 injuries from crashes. This means that nearly 4,000 bikers lives changed in an instant. No one plans to be hurt riding a motorcycle, but we know that injuries are not uncommon. At the Law Firm of Kass & Moses, we are bikers, too. We understand the desire to ride, and know that the thrill is worth some degree of risk. We believe in riding prepared.
Riding prepared is about more than just the right gear. Sure, a helmet and a leather jacket will provide some degree of protection. But even with the best gear, injuries are common. That is why it is important to know exactly how to handle the situation if you are involved in a crash. If it happens to you, you will know the best steps to take to protect your rights. If it happens to a friend out on the road, you can take the lead and make sure the situation is handled appropriately.
Motorcycle Law Tips for Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Beyond
If you are involved in or have witnessed a North Carolina motorcycle crash, here are the steps you should take:
- Call 911 immediately. Ask for both police and rescue personnel to respond. It is good to have rescue personnel respond even if there are no major injuries, as concussions and head injuries are common. Emergency medical technicians can check you over at the scene of your motorcycle accident. They will likely advise you to go to the emergency room for further assessment by a licensed physician. If your injuries are severe, they will be able to begin treatment at the scene of your crash. We believe any motorcycle rider involved in an accident should seek medical treatment immediately. Over 80 percent of motorcycle crashes result in injuries. If you experience any discomfort or signs of concussion like headache, dizziness, or trouble processing thoughts, seek medical care right away.
- Leave affected vehicles where they are when possible. If, for some reason, you must move the vehicles, be sure to take as many pictures as possible prior to moving them. Many motorcycle accidents involve multiple vehicles. If possible, take pictures that show where your motorcycle is in relation to the other vehicles. Do not forget to take pictures of skid marks and areas where paint came off on other surfaces. These pictures can help us recreate the motorcycle accident if there is any confusion as to what occurred. Your memory of the crash may be hazy, especially if you experienced any degree of head injury. Photos can help prove what happened in a case.
- Collect contact information from any witnesses who stop. Many witnesses leave soon after stopping, and if you have failed to get their contact information, it may be too late. Rather than having them write their contact information on a slip of paper that may get lost in the chaotic time after your motorcycle accident, simply add them to your cell phone. Police officers often collect this information for you, and it may be a part of your police report. Still, any information you can get at the scene can help prove your case later.
- Do not admit guilt. Even if you feel you may have been partly responsible for the crash, now is not the time to say it. Remember that your mind is often cloudy and confused in the minutes following a crash. Crash happen in a fraction of a second, and motorcycle accident victims are often overwhelmed by the adrenaline and emotions surrounding the crash. Do not admit to any responsibility or blame. So often, people admit blame even when they were only partly at fault.
- Retain all police reports and documentation the police officer gives you. This information may prove crucial when pursuing your claim for compensation. Sometimes a basic copy of the police report will be given to you at the scene. In other cases, it may come in the mail. Either way, retain a copy of it. Do not assume that if the report states you are responsible that means you are not entitled to compensation. These reports can be wrong, and some police officers have a bias against motorcycle riders. Our motorcycle accident attorneys work closely with accident reconstruction experts and can carefully analyze your crash.
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible following the crash. Even if you feel your injuries are minor, it is best to get checked over by a qualified medical professional. This also serves to document your injuries formally. You may even want to take photographs of your injuries. It is also important to follow through with any medical advice you receive. If, for example, your doctor recommends a course of physical therapy, it is important to attend all sessions. If you experience any pain after your course of treatment has ended, or you develop pain or discomfort in a new area, be sure to follow up with a doctor. Although some degree of pain may continue after a course of treatment, you should steadily be recovering. If the pain is intensifying, or if you are experiencing a new type of pain, it may represent an injury that has not yet been diagnosed.
- Contact 1-800-MOTORCYCLE and speak to a team member who is a North Carolina motorcycle crash attorney. It is important to have an experienced legal professional working with you as soon as possible after your accident. The insurance company will try to limit your compensation. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will fight for your rights to receive the maximum compensation under the law. Remember, when you contact us you will receive a free case evaluation. We will help you understand what amount of compensation is fair and appropriate for your case. We will talk you through the next steps and answer any questions that you may have.
- Rest assured knowing your case is in the hands of the experienced motorcycle attorneys with the Law Firm of Kass & Moses. We will handle the insurance adjusters and navigate the appropriate North Carolina motorcycle laws for you. You will be able to focus your time and attention to recovering from your injuries as we fight to get you compensation that is both fair and just.
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Common Injuries in North Carolina Motorcycle Accidents
Common motorcycle accident injuries include traumatic brain injury and concussions, broken bones, road rash, and neck and spine injuries. Motorcyclists are prone to suffer severe injuries when a motorcycle wreck occurs. This is mainly because motorcyclists have little in the way of protection. Unlike motorists, bikers do not wear seat belts or have airbags to protect their bodies.
One of the most common injuries is traumatic brain injuries, commonly referred to as a concussion. When we think of concussions, we often think of football players who are carted off the field after a particularly bad hit. That image, however, represents a relatively minor concussions. Severe traumatic brain injury, in fact, can result in death.
Mild traumatic brain injury usually results in symptoms that are disconcerting and can be upsetting, especially in the wake of a motorcycle accident. You might have a headache and disorientation. You may experience slurred speech or have a difficult time thinking of the right words to use when you speak. You might feel groggy and tired, or feel like your body is slowed down. You could experience nausea or loss of appetite. Some people with mild concussions feel anxious or especially irritable.
Mild concussions, though not life-threatening, still require prompt medical care. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to be completely checked out by a medical professional. You may have scans or imaging tests done to determine the extent of your injury and if there is any swelling or bruising of the brain tissue.
Healing from a mild concussion takes time away from as much activity as possible. Most medical professionals advise that you lay down in a quiet, darkened room, away from television or noise and rest as much as possible. With rest, the brain returns to its normal state, prior to the injury, and signs of the concussion gradually fade away.
What is important to understand is that even though a mild concussion is not extremely serious, medical professionals have learned that even these minor brain injuries can be associated with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease and later in life. And in the short term, experiencing a concussion can put you at a greater risk of suicide and severe emotional distress.
For more serious concussion, a lapse of consciousness occurs. The symptoms of these more serious head injuries are more severe and pronounced, and recovery takes significantly longer. In some cases, these injuries can lead to lifelong disability or even fatalities.
Often, the motorcycle accident victim with a severe concussion will experience disabilities that will affect their ability to perform at work. This may mean stepping down from their job and getting a less demanding job. Some injured bikers may not be able to return to work at all. During such a critical time, experiencing the loss of a paycheck is devastating. We will fight for you to get you financial compensation as quickly as possible after your motorcycle accident.
Any injured riders experiencing signs of head injury should be thoroughly assessed by a medical doctor as soon as possible. Recovery often means time away from work, which results in lost wages. We fight to get compensation for your lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses from the insurance company.
Injured motorcyclists are often surprised by the amount of medical bills after their motorcycle accident. It can be overwhelming to receive numerous costly bills, especially if it occurs at a time when you are unable to work due to your injuries. The other driver’s insurance company will likely make you an offer of compensation in an attempt to reach a motorcycle accident settlement. This offer is usually insultingly low, and may not take into account your pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
As North Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys, we know well the damages incurred when a crash occurs. The damages to your bike and your initial medical bills are only the tip of the iceberg. In the weeks and months following your motorcycle accident, you will likely need medical services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical imaging services, and possibly surgery.
In addition to your medical bills, you may face lost wages. You may not be able to work at all due to the extent of your injuries. Or, you may be forced to work a less physical job for less pay. At a time in your life when you need money more than ever before your income is cut tremendously. This all occurs due to the other driver’s negligence. At the Law Firm of Kass & Moses, we simply do not believe you need to suffer. Accidents occur every day, and the insurance company should provide fair compensation for your injuries under North Carolina law.
The motorcycle injury lawyers at our law firm have a special understanding of motorcycle accidents. Each of our lawyers is a licensed biker. We ride, too, so we understand the lingo, nuances, and lifestyle that come with riding a motorcycle. Motorcycle accident cases can be tricky, and we consider it a personal quest to work to restore the rights of injured bikers.
Having represented hundreds of injured motorcycle riders, we have the experience necessary to handle such complex cases. We have represented countless bikers with severe injuries and have handled wrongful death cases. You need an experienced attorney on your side during this complicated legal process. Call us today or fill out our contact form to learn how we can help you recover compensation for your losses and injuries.
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Motorcycle Accidents Result in Serious Injuries
Most motorcycle accidents result in significant injuries. These life-changing and sometimes life-threatening injuries affect more than just the life of the biker. Families, friends, and employers are all affected when a biker is hurt.
Common injuries in motorcycle accidents include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and soft tissue injuries. Bikers suffer such severe injuries because there is little in place to protect them when a motorcycle accident occurs. Unlike other motorists, motorcycle drivers do not have airbags or the reinforced frame of an automobile to protect them from impact. Catastrophic injuries, and even fatalities, are not uncommon.
The physical pain after a motorcycle crash can be debilitating. Even relatively minor injuries like road rash and burns can be incredibly painful. This pain not only affects your ability to function, but it can make it impossible to work. You may struggle to focus on your day-to-day activities. You may require painkillers that are potentially addictive just to get through each day.
For the injured rider, the injuries result in more than just physical pain. Emotional pain and distress disrupt your life. Medical bills add to the damages. And lost wages mean it is incredibly difficult to pay these bills. The insurance adjuster, working on behalf of the insurance company, wants to prevent you from recovering fair compensation. Many insurance companies, in fact, present compensation offers that may not even be large enough to pay your immediate medical bills.
We believe this is downright insulting. After years, even decades, paying your insurance premiums each month, it is upsetting to not be treated appropriately by the insurance company. We believe you are entitled to fair payment for your injuries. We hold the insurance companies and the other driver accountable and seek compensation that helps restore your wellbeing after your motorcycle accident.
Our legal team specializes in cases of injured motorcycle riders. We have seen what happens when bikers choose to go it alone and do not hire an attorney. Often, the compensation they receive is very poor, and they are left struggling to pay their medical bills. They are often thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in the negative. We do not want any motorcycle rider to suffer financial losses on top of their physical pain.
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North Carolina Motorcycle Law is Complex
North Carolina is a contributory negligence state. This means that, if you were injured in a motorcycle crash and it is determined that you were at all at fault, even 1 percent at fault, for causing the crash, you are not entitled to recover damages from the other party involved. This makes it difficult for North Carolina motorcyclists to recover compensation after their accidents.
Our North Carolina motorcycle accident lawyers understand, however, that there are exceptions to the contributory negligence laws. For example, if you can demonstrate that the driver at-fault had the last clear chance to avoid the collision, you may still be able to recover, even if you did bear some of the responsibility for the crash. This is why you need an experienced professional to handle your motorcycle accident case.
We advise anyone injured in a North Carolina motorcycle accident to not go it alone. North Carolina laws are complex, and it can be difficult to determine just how much compensation you have coming under the law. Having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney on your side means you stand the best chance of collecting fair compensation for your injuries and other damages.
Remember that when you contact the Law Firm of Kass & Moses, there is absolutely no money due to us until we settle your case. That means that you will not be responsible for any fees until your case is resolved. For a free case evaluation, call us now at 1-800-MOTORCYCLE. Speak with a motorcycle personal injury lawyer on our team and feel more secure knowing your case in the hands of an experienced professional.
North Carolina Motorcycle Law
Requirements for legally riding a motorcycle vary from state to state. The Kass & Moses team can confidently answer your questions about the specifics of North Carolina’s motorcycle laws. Below are a few rules of the road that every local rider should keep in mind:
- All bikers and passengers are required to wear an approved motorcycle helmet.
- Lane splitting is not addressed under North Carolina law, so it is best to avoid it. Also, you are not allowed to pass to the right of another vehicle.
- Your motorcycle must be equipped with a headlamp that is lit at all times, including during the day.
North Carolina motorcycle law is complex, and in order to get as much compensation as possible, it is important to have an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer handle your personal injury lawsuit. When you contact 1-800-MOTORCYCLE, you will have a free consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney. During the consultation, you will be able to explain the details of your crash. The attorney will answer your questions and help you determine what you can expect from your case in terms of compensation. Many times, even if we do not feel like we can represent your case, we can provide you with next steps that will be beneficial in order to get compensation that is just from the insurance company.
We take special pride in representing motorcycle personal injury cases because our attorneys are all licensed motorcycle riders. We understand the lifestyle, the lingo, and the passion. We know you are driven to recover financially in order to support and care for your family and bring you back to health. Our goal is for you to recover completely financially and return to riding your motorcycle and enjoying the passions of life. Motorcycle wrecks are our speciality at the Law Firm of Kass & Moses. Call today for a free, no obligation case evaluation.
Motorcycle Organizations:
BMW Tarheel Travelers Motorcycle Club
Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
Dragon Slayers Motorcycle Club
Independent Bikers of North Carolina
Wingmen Motorcycle Club
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.
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